The weather was kind to Ballard last night as thousands converged on Market and 24th street to observe the annual Syttende Mai parade, which was the biggest one yet, according to organizers.

With 94 entries and a few thousand participants, the parade was a full two-hour long steam of variety and entertainment.

The Seattle Police Motorcycle Drill Team kicked off the event for the sixteenth year and many organizations, clubs, traditional costumes, high school bands, drill teams, vintage cars and unicyclists followed.

The participants danced, waived, played music, and shouted
Hip Hip Hurrah! to the mass of cheering faces and red-and-blue flags.

Thousands of people came out to observe the parade, lining the streets and packing every bar and restaurant along the parade route.

One of the highlights of the parade was Whittier Heights who came out with 113 kids on unicyles.

Syttende Mai has been celebrated in the Greater Seattle Area since 1889 and the parade is one of the largest ethnic parades in the United States.